Summer Frederick, Project Manager
Where were you born (and raised, if different)?
I was born in Lake Forest, IL, and raised in Annandale, VA
When and why did you move to the Charlottesville/Albemarle area?
I moved here July of 1997 to finish my undergraduate degree at UVA
What neighborhood do you live in now?
Belmont!
Family (spouse, kids, etc)?
Parents and extended family scattered near and far.
What is your alma mater and when did you graduate?
I started college at West Virginia Wesleyan College, left after two-and-a-half years, took a good bit of a break from higher education, then returned and graduated from UVA.
Twice – 1999 BA, and 2005 MUEP
What were you doing before coming to the TJPDC?
I worked for Albemarle County as a Senior Planner of Current Development. The “Current Development” division no longer exists. The Community Development Department has changed so now all long range planning and development review is under the “Planning Services” division.
Your job title is Project Manager for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission – what, in your own words, would you say you do?
I keep the Livable Communities Project moving forward, making sure all the warious pieces and parts are working together as they should.
What is the best part of your job?
The staff I get to work with, the wide range of people I get to meet, and the great conversations I get to have with them.
The most difficult part?
Making sure everyone who wants to participate in our Project has the opportunity to voice their ideas, comments, concerns, views.
How does your job most directly impact the average person?
The Project is working to inform the long range visions for the Community – Charlottesville and Albemarle’s Comprehensive Plans, and the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan. These plans will, in turn, guide decisions made by locality staff, and elected and appointed officials regarding future development, road networks, infrastructure improvements, economic development, the environment – all of which influence a person’s day-to-day life – where new housing is located, which roads are expanded/extended, etc.
What is the most interesting project or work experience that you’ve had while with the TJPDC?
I came to TJPDC to work on the Livable Communities Project. One of the most interesting experience to date has been listening to the dialog develop between various levels of the Project partners – residents, staff, appointed officials – related to a variety of community issues.
What is a little-known fact about you?
According to my father, I was named after the Howdy Doody character, Princess Summerfall Winterspring. My mother denies this.
What do you do outside of work hours – hobbies, etc?
I love to sail. I swim distance open water swims. I hike. I cook. I’ll read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, all of whom teach me new things, keep me laughing, honest, on my toes, and out of trouble. Most of the time.
